Static recrystallization kinetics of a heavily cold drawn AZ31 magnesium alloy under annealing treatment

► PA cold drawn reduction of 61% of an AZ31 Mg alloy was obtained. ► The cracked twins played a role in the work hardening and static recrystallization. ► Texture changes from {0002} <101¯0> direction to <21¯1¯0> to {0002} <21¯1¯0> confirmed the preferential nucleation in twins. ► The recrystallization kinetic was well described by JMAK model. ► The activation energy for recrystallization was calculated to be 85.9 kJ/mol.